“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ” (Hebrews 13:8, NIV84) How Jesus was with those who followed Him 2000 years ago is how Jesus is with those who follow Him today. The purpose of Jesus is not that we escape hell. The purpose of Jesus is that when we start following Him, we enter into a new life filled with Hope, Purpose and Destiny. The purpose of Jesus is relationship with God. “”The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ” (John 10:10, NASB95) The calling of a disciple is to follow Jesus and as we do we begin to experience a life full to overflowing with the experience of the promise of God.
Normal Christianity for the first disciples and for the early church was marked by the supernatural. The sick were healed. Demons were cast out. Food was multiplied. The dead were raised. Storms were calmed. Angels came and instructed. Visions directed their steps. Prisons were opened. People were caught up into heaven. People were translated on the earth. Life with Jesus was marked by supernatural activity.
And yet, everything Jesus did was not written down. Not everything was testified to. Those things that were written and spoken of were for the purpose of encouraging others that they too could experience a supernatural life filled with the power, blessings and abundance of God. “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. ” (John 20:30–31, NASB95)
Not everything Jesus did was recorded. Jesus did not limit His activity to what prophets had done in the past. Jesus did and said what His Father did. “”Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. ” (John 14:10–11, NASB95) Jesus did not confine himself to supernatural activity of the past. Jesus was free to do new things. Jesus walked on water. Jesus walked among His Disciples after His death. Jesus spit on people. Jesus slept through a storm.
Today, people testify to what Jesus has done in their life. The purpose of the testimony is to encourage people that Jesus wants you to experience a supernatural powerful life as well. The test of a supernatural encounter is not if it is described in the Bible. The test of a supernatural encounter is a changed life. If after the encounter someone is more hungry for Jesus, God’s Word, and the church, then the source of the encounter is Jesus. If after the encounter, we see the fruit of the Spirit growing in a person’s life, then the source of the encounter is Jesus. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ” (Galatians 5:22–23, NASB95)
By definition, a supernatural encounter is beyond our natural understanding and can only be understood by the spirit and the fruit that the encounter has on a person’s life.
I have smelled the incense of heaven in a vision. That vision brought healing to my heart.
I have seen and heard the rocks crying out to God. That encounter gives me a burden for this world.
I have seen demons clinging to cars and angels riding on horses. I understand more how the spiritual and the natural are interconnected.
I have received physical healing many times. That healing empowers me to do and to act on the purpose of God for my life.
I have seen money multiply in my wallet. I have learned that God is my provider.
I have gold dust in my Bible. It reminded me of the love of God.
I have stood in a storm and watched it move away. I understood that God has given me authority.
I have given sacrificially. I understood the power of a seed.
I have shaken in the presence of God. I understood the amazing intimacy possible with God even in the presence of the awesome holiness of God.
Do not judge my life based on my supernatural encounters. Judge based on the growth of love in me. Judge based on the growth of my hunger for God. Judge based on my desire to please God according to His Word.
Use my testimony of supernatural encounters to encourage you that a supernatural life is possible for you as well. I write and testify to you that you also can believe and that by believing you also can begin to experience a supernatural life.
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